Citibank Branch in Argentina Faced Attempted Fire Bombing

Oct. 6, 2005
Bank branch and other businesses had Molotov cocktails hurled at them

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Attackers hurled Molotov cocktails at a Citibank branch and other businesses in suburbs near the capital early Thursday, breaking windows and causing some fire damage, but resulting in no injuries, police said.

Authorities said they were looking into whether the homemade explosives were the work of anti-American demonstrators opposed to a scheduled visit next month by U.S. President George W. Bush.

Bush and 33 other democratically elected leaders from around the hemisphere are to meet Nov. 4-5 in the Argentine beach resort of Mar del Plata for the fourth Summit of the Americas.

Police said a video store and a car dealership were also targeted in suburbs about 10 miles (15 kilometers) south of downtown Buenos Aires.

Additional details were not immediately available.

(c) 2005 Associated Press